Potato grader chain



oct 30, 1945. T. J. LocKwooD V 2,387,918

POTATO GRADER CHAIN Filed .May 4, 1944 IN VEN TOR. fom/42 faam/voz:

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Patented oct. 3o, 1945 2,387,918 ro'rA'ro GRADER CHAIN Thorval J. Lockwood, Gering, Nebr. Application May 4, 1944, Serial No. 534,121

(C1. iss-195) 9 Claims.

This invention relates to a conveyer or elevator chain of the type usually known as a barchain and relates more particularly to a chain of the type used on potato elevating and grading machinery.

The principal object of this invention is to provide a chain of this character which will be extremely rugged and long lasting: which will accurately maintain its preset pitch; which will not bruise, scar or mar the potatoes; and in which damaged links or bars can be quickly and easily removed and replaced.

Other objects and advantages reside in the detail construction of the invention, which is designed for simplicity, economy, and e'ciency. These will become more apparent from the following description.

In the following detailed description of the invention reference is had to the accompanying drawing which forms a part hereof. Like numerals refer to like parts in all views of the drawing and throughout the description.

In the drawing:

Fig. l is a plan view of a section of the improved chain;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged cross-section taken on the line 2 2, Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a similarly enlarged cross-section taken on the line 3 3, Fig. 1; and

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view illustrating an alternate simplified form of the chain.

The improved chain is formed from a series of elongated, rectangular links. Each link consists of two parallel bars I permanently connected together, adjacent each extremity, by a pair of cross bars I I welded or otherwise secured thereto. That portion of the bars IU between the cross bars II is covered by means of lengths of rubber tubing or hose I2. The lengths of hose I2 are placed on the bars I0 before the cross bars Il are welded therebetween.

The links are connected together to form the complete chain by means of bands I3 bent as illustrated in Fig. 2 so as to connect two of the bars Ill and maintain them spaced a distance equal to the permanent spacing of the bars IIJ. The extremities of the bands I3 are separated sufliciently to allow the bars I0 to be slipped into the embrace of the bands.

After the bands are in place on the bars the opening between the extremities is closed by means of a relatively soft metal clip I4 having a length suflicient to allow its extremities to be bent back over the band I3 as indicated at I5 in Fig. 3. Each of the clips I4 has a depressed center portion I-E which lits between the extremities of the band I3 to prevent lateral shifting of the clip. The cross bars II prevent lateral shifting of the bands I3. l

To remove a link it is only necessary to straighten an extremity on the clips I4 and slip them from place. This allows the bars I0 of the desired link to be passed through the open spaces between the extremities of the looped bands I3.

In Fig. 4 an alternate form of the improved chain is illustrated. This form employs rectangular links I'I. A stud I8 projects from one side of each of the links at the extremity thereof. The studs I8 extend into receiving openings in each end of a cross bar I9 as shown by the sectional view of the bar at A, Fig. 4. The cross bars [9 may be of rubber, wood, metal or any other suitable material. The links I1 are connected together at each side of the complete chain by means of the bandsl3 andthe clips I4 similarly to the previously described form.

The latter form of the invention allows the same links to be used upon chains of varying widths since the width is determined by the length of the cross bars I9 which are independent of the links.

While a specific form of the improvement has been described and illustrated herein, it is desired to be understood that the same may be varied, within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed and desired secured by Letters Patent is: K

1. A bar chain comprising: a series of parallel bars extending transversely of said chain; cross bars connecting said parallel bars into pairs, there being a separated pair of cross bars at each extremity of each pair of said parallel bars; and lin'ks extending between the adjacent pairs of parallel -bars maintaining the pairs in parallel relation.

2. A bar chain comprising: a series of parallel bars extending transversely of said chain; cross bars connecting said .parallel bars into pairs, there being a separated pair of cross bars at each extremity of each pair of said parallel bars; and links extending between the adjacent pairs of parallel bars maintaining the pairs in parallel relation, said links being positioned between the cross bars of the pairs of cross bars.

3. A b ar chain comprising: a series of parallel bars extending transversely of said chain; cross bars connecting said parallel bars into pairs, there being a separated pair of cross bars at each extremity of each pair of said parallel bars; links extending between the adjacent pairs of parallel bars maintaining the pairs in parallel relation; and a resilient tube surrounding said parallel bars between the pairs of cross bars.

4. A bar chain comprising: a series of parallel bars extending transversely of said chain; cross bars connecting said first bars into pairs, there being a separated pair of cross bars at each extremity of each pair of said first bars; links extending between the adjacent pairs of first bars maintaining the pairs in parallel relation; and a resilient tube surrounding said parallel bars between the pairs of cross bars, said links being positioned between the cross bars at theextremities of said parallel bars.

5. A bar chain comprising: a series of parallel bars extending transversely of said chain; cross bars connecting said parallel bars into pairs; looped bands surrounding the adjacent bars of the adjacent pairs of bars and connecting the later, the extremities of said looped bands being spaced apart to allow the bars to enter the loops of said bands; and means for closing the space between said extremities when desired.

6. A bar chain comprising: a series of parallel bars extending transversely of said chain; cross bars connecting said parallel bars into pairs; looped bands surrounding the adjacent bars of the ladjacent pairs of bars and connecting the latter, the extremities of said looped bands being spaced apart to allow the bars to enter the loops of said bands; and a second metallic band wrapped about the adjacent extremities of each of said looped bands to close the space therebetween when desired.

7. A bar chain comprising: a series of parallel bars extending transversely of said chain; cross bars connecting said parallel bars into pairs; looped bands surrounding the adjacent bars of the adjacent pairs of bars and connecting the latter, the extremities of said looped bands being spaced apart to allow the bars to enter the loops of said bands; a second metallic band wrapped about the adjacent extremities of each of said looped bands to close the space therebetween when desired; and a projection on said second band extending into the space between said extremities to prevent shifting of said second band.

8. A link for attaching the adjacent bars of a bar chain together comprising: a relatively flat looped band adapted to receive a bar within each of its extremities, the extremities of said band being spaced apart at one side of the loop a suflicient distance to allow the bars to pass therebetween into said loop; and a second looped band wrapped about said extremities and extending transversely of said rst looped band to close the space between said extremities when desired.

'9. A link for attaching the adjacent bars of a bar 'chain together comprising: a relatively at looped band adapted to receive a bar within each of its extremities, the extremities of said band being spaced apart at one side of the loop a suicient distance to allow the bars to pass therebetween into said loop; a second looped band wrapped about said extremities and extending transversely of said first looped band to close the space between said extremities when desired; and an inwardly extending indented' portion at the middle of said second band and extending between said extremities to preventshifting of said second band along said first band.

THORVAL J. LOCKWOOD. 

